Play at Forest School – The Importance of Play in Nature

Play at Forest School is valued as the ‘highest expression of human development’, yet we live in a consumeristic society that doesn’t always value it. In this video we explore a definition of play, consider the importance of play in nature and look at how we can support play at Forest School. If you are currently doing your Forest School training or already a Forest School Leader looking to brush up on your Forest School skills I hope this video helps you develop your Forest School activities and practice. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 01:40 – Play is Essential 03:03 – Play is a child’s human right 03:30 – Play is an evolutionary necessity 05:44 – What is ‘play’? A definition. 07:45 – What does play look like? 12:39 – Are we in a society of play deprivation? 17:33 – How do we support play at Forest School? 27:23 – Age and play – working with different age groups 28:50 – Reflecting on your own play 29:41 – Poem WHAT TO WATCH NEXT? = ) #3. Play Comes First - Little Lessons from Lily-Roe - Baby Wisdom for Forest School - = ) The Importance of Risky Play - a Forest School interview - = ) Forest School Benefits - The ripple effects of Forest School programmes - = ) Short Term Session Planning for Forest School – = ) Long Term Programme Planning for Forest School - = ) Outdoor Learning & Forest School - What’s the Difference? - = ) Risk at Forest School - Supporting Appropriate Risk Taking - = ) Planning your first Forest School Programme - = ) 5 Session Starters for Forest School - Supporting outdoor play and child led learning - = ) Teenager Forest School – 7 Tips for Forest School with Secondary Aged Learners - Come to the woods with me, Forest School Lou, I’ll share Forest School knowledge with you. Since 2007, I’ve trained people face to face. Now from 2020, I’m sharing through videos in this place. If you like my content, do consider subscribing, To my channel, which I am describing - LINKS: - – The Forest School Association, the UK charity for Forest School. - Bob Hughes is a lifelong advocate for play and written many books – - Tim Gill is a writer and advisor on play and risk – - ‘Nonviolent Communication – A Language of Life’ by Marshall Rosenberg ISBN-10 : 189200528X - ‘Punished by Rewards: The trouble with gold stars, incentive plans, A’s, praise and other bribes by Alfie Kohn ISBN-10 : 9780618001811 - - Play England - - Play Wales - - Play Scotland IMAGE CREDITS FROM PIXABAY: - Albert-Einstein by Janeb13 - Atoms by PIRO4D - Blackboard teacher by Tumisu - Business by Goumbik - Child in forest by Tancox - Child-explore by April Bryant - Den building by Rick Siderfin - Dog and humans playing by FreeCreativeStuff - Game by Josephredfield - Game Over by seb-agora - Girl and Maple Leaf by StockSnap - Hacking by Seb-agora - Keyboard Cover by Free-Footage - Mountain Bike by Maurice Muller - Nintendo by DigestContest - Silhouette Thinking Idea by athree23 - Smartphone Cover by Free-Footage - Speed of light by Dieter_G - Tree climbing by Esther Merbt - Wooden Car by GLady Many thanks for use of your photos and videos! Big Thank you to James BigDaddy for his groovy editing skills! DISCLAIMER: All information shared within the Forest School Lou channel is provided in good faith, and based on my own experience of Forest School in the UK. It is not designed to be a replacement for quality, face to face, accredited Forest School training, rather as a resource to support Forest practitioners and those in training. I am a Forest School trainer, but not your Forest School trainer, therefore no training contract exists between us. Ensure you are appropriately qualified and undertake your own risk assessments before undertaking any activity with groups, which takes into account the learners age, ability and level of understanding. Forest School Lou is a trade name for Birchwood Learning Ltd.